The debate over who is the greatest athlete of all time has raged for decades. And the fans of various sports have passionately argued for their respective icons. For instance, basketball fans often point to Michael Jordan, whose six NBA championships and ultimate dominance speaks for his case. Baseball fans, on the other hand, might counter with arguments for Babe Ruth, whose home run records have cemented his legendary status. However, this time Magic Johnson has thrown an unexpected curveball to this debate and he actually means it.

In the recent episode of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’, Johnson was invited as the guest for the segment. Following the MLB team Los Angeles Dodgers’ exceptional performance this season, it was quite predictable that the majority owner would soon make a guest appearance on National TV. Kimmel came up with an interesting question for the former Los Angeles Lakers veteran whether Michael Jordan ever had such a good season as the Dodgers DH Shohei Ohtani, and the 65-year-old was quick to answer it. “Probably close to it but not this type,” said Johnson during the show.

The 65-year-old former point guard, however, didn’t stop there. He even stated that he and another NBA great, Wilt Chamberlain, also never had such a successful season as ‘Shotime‘. So is Johnson correct? While a direct comparison between the two standouts can’t be made since the stats of both games are quite different, there are few instances as to why Johnson is hailing the Japanese baseballer’s name.

This season, Ohtani broke Hideko Matsui’s record for the most number of homers ever hit by a Japanese hitter by hitting 176 home runs. Just a few days ago, he also became the first person in the MLB to enter the 50-50 club by having 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season. The only difference between Jordan and Ohtani is the number of championships they have under their name. While Jordan has six rings, Ohtani has yet to win one. But he might be close to winning it.

However, Johnson has given a different explanation as to why, Ohtani is greater than Michael Jordan. According to him, his playing style has moved more people from across the world than Jordan and his fame is quite similar to another MJ, that is Michael Jackson. “Eight out of every 10 Japanese fans who come over from Japan, go to Dodgers stadium,” mentioned Johnson as a fact that startled Kimmel. The former point guard also stated that Ohtani has the power to entertain his fans by showing his exciting gameplay and at the same time is also making new people fall in love with the sport.

While Jordan’s legacy as one of the greatest athletes of all time remains secure, Ohtani’s unprecedented two-way excellence in baseball has forced us to expand our definition of sporting greatness. However, did you know the Chicago Bulls legend also had a small stint in America’s favorite pastime?

When Michael Jordan chose cleats instead of sneakers

Jordan, who is the undisputed king of basketball, briefly ventured into the world of baseball in 1994. After winning the third NBA championship with the Chicago Bulls, the shooting guard, who was overwhelmed by his fame and was emotionally drained from his father’s untimely death, wanted to try on something different for a new challenge and distraction.

‘His Airness’ started playing in Minor League Baseball, by joining the Birmingham Barons, which was the minority affiliate of the MLB team Chicago White Sox. He did pretty well as a new player, and in the first year of his stint, he had a batting percentage of .202, with an RBI of 51. However, he faced challenges adjusting to the timing and precision required for hitting and fielding at the highest level.

The Bulls legend returned to the NBA in 1995, fearing that he might become a replacement player during the Major League Baseball strike that occurred that year. While his brief stint in baseball was a unique chapter in his athletic journey, it ultimately served as a reminder of his extraordinary talent and unwavering determination.

As for Johnson, he has been successful in surprising Kimmel once again. But who remains the GOAT for the fans will still be a question standing for a long time to come.